EU law used to revive snoopers’ charter

THE controversial “snoopers’ charter” could be rushed into law using an
obscure European directive.

As the row grew over the role of GCHQ in obtaining the internet data of
Britons via American spy agencies, it has emerged that Downing Street and
the Home Office are examining an old Brussels edict.

This would give the police and security services sweeping powers to monitor
personal email and internet use and could solve the political deadlock over
the Communications Data Bill.

The European Union directive, which obliges internet and telecoms companies to
store vast amounts of data for potential use by intelligence agencies, was
only partially implemented.

Supporters of the bill, which was thrown out by Nick Clegg, the deputy prime
minister, now believe that it may be possible to introduce the measures “by
the back door” with a simple parliamentary motion enacting the forgotten
2006 EU directive in full.